West Elm opens first Orange County store

Orange County shoppers no longer have to make a trek to Los Angeles shop at West Elm. The home store opened its first location in the county on Friday at South Coast Plaza’s Macy’s Home Wing.

The area has become a “home destination,” said West Elm spokeswoman Kendall Coleman.

Known for its mix-and-match eclectic vibe — the store offers some unique ways to spruce up homes.

People can get free consulting from stylists in the store’s Design Lab. No purchase necessary, a stylist will offer design ideas or tips on complementing items to buy. Inherited your dining room table but need new tabletop items? That won’t be a problem, Coleman said.

It’s the only West Elm store to have the West Elm Market within — which offers items for the garden, home repairs, the kitchen and personal care. They have everything from glasses and candles made from wine bottles to soil and fashionable laundry baskets.

Coleman described it as the modern-day general store. The Brooklyn-based company opened it as a stand-alone on its home turf, and Coleman said they plan to open it as a “shop in shop” in select markets.

Collaborations with designers, artists and creative professionals have also sparked buzz in the design community.

Interior designer Allegra Hicks designed prints for West Elm, which the company had made into linens in India.

John Vogel, known for his Swedish furniture that utilizes African weaving techniques, created benches and chairs for the company. Graphic designer Alyson Fox channeled her Southwestern roots with chevron and Native American-inspired prints applied to pillows. Known for working for Yves Saint Laurent and Liberty London, Sarah Campbell’s iconic textiles appear on pillows, trays and makeup bags.

West Elm also sources artisans all over the world to make accessories, such as taxidermy-inspired papier-mache stag heads made by Haitian artists.

There are no ready-made sets in the store. Everything from bedding to dining is meant to express shoppers’ personalities. Coleman said they don’t expect buyers to replace existing items. Have white dishware? Buy a colorful layering plate for the season. Bored with your monochromatic couch? Try out new pillows and a throw.

“There’s no rules,” Coleman said. “The rule is you have to love it because you have to live there.”

West Elm is at 333 Bear St. in Costa Mesa. Visit westelm.com for more information.

joanna.clay@latimes.com

Twitter: @joannaclay